CFB Staff Picks: Week 11

Early in the season it looked like Ohio State would coast to another playoff berth but an ugly loss to an unranked Purdue and a few sloppy showings afterwards have exposed this team. On the other side of the spectrum, Michigan State is a team that has looked better as the season has progressed. I expect their recent surge, home field advantage, and added adrenaline from a rivalry game to propel them to a huge victory.

#1 Alabama 42 – #16 Mississippi State 17

Alabama isn’t fair. The question has always been “what happens when they get a stud quarterback?” and now that we have the answer it’s clear that their next stop is complete world domination. For much of their season a lack of quality wins created a cloud over their ranking, but they erased those concerns in a big way last week with an absolute shellacking of LSU. Expect the trend of obliterating good teams to continue.

#8 Oklahoma 49 – Oklahoma State 38

This will be a classic Big 12 game where one team scores a boat load of points and the winner scores a few more. Most games of this sort I anticipate coming down to the last play but Kyler Murray has been so good this season I trust him to give the Sooners some breathing room as they try to boost their resume before its playoff time. Since they don’t control their own fate in the conference look for them to play with lots of energy and come out on top in the battle for Oklahoma.

#5 Georgia 27 – #24 Auburn 20

Auburn has been amongst the nation’s biggest disappointments this year and running into a white hot Georgia team is the last thing the Tigers need to help them get back on track. While Georgia’s offense hasn’t exactly set the world aflame this season, their defense is as stingy as any and I foresee this unit leading them into another SEC Championship game with a spot in the playoff on the line while Auburn sits at home and sets their sights on 2019.

#2 Clemson 31 – #17 Boston College 24

I’m going to be honest. Clemson is a much better team than BC. While the Game Day hype and cold weather will give the Eagles some added motivation I don’t think it will be enough to power them to an upset. With that being said, Boston College has put themselves in a great position to play in a prestigious bowl game and have set themselves up to improve further in 2019.

Bryan Bruwer

#10 Ohio State 24 – #18 Michigan State 20

It’s no secret that Ohio State has been struggling as of late, and they draw a tough assignment this week in East Lansing. However, Dwayne Haskins is due for a bounce back game, and he’ll get the job done as the Buckeyes will take care of business to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

#1 Alabama 42 – #16 Mississippi State 10

Alabama silenced all of their critics last week, shutting out #3 LSU in Death Valley, and one can argue that there are no more challengers to their throne as the kings of college football. The Tide will make quick work of Nick Fitzgerald and company in another blowout win.

#8 Oklahoma 42 – Oklahoma State 35

Year in and year out, Bedlam is a high powered shootout powered by outstanding aerial attacks. This year will be no different, and the Sooners will have an advantage playing at home. Kyler Murray will run all around OK State, but they’ll put up a strong fight, as they always seem to do.

#5 Georgia 31 – #24 Auburn 17

Georgia perhaps the only team that stands in the way of Alabama and the College Football Playoff, as if they win out they’ll face the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. I love Jake Fromm and Georgia’s defense, and I could see them dethroning the Alabama, so I’m going to bet on that potential narrative continuing.

#17 BC 31 – #2 Clemson 27

With College GameDay coming to Chestnut Hill this weekend, and the Eagles being ranked higher than they have been in a decade, I just can’t bring myself to pick against them. Although conventional wisdom would recommend siding with a squad that dropped a cool 77 points against an ACC opponent, there is a special aura around this BC team that you just can’t quantify. Go Eagles.